Norman Mbiko at the Springbok Experience museum at V&A Waterfront (Carl Fourie / Gallo Images).

  • Former Blitzboks head coach and ex-scrumhalf Norman Mbiko passed away at the age of 79 after battling a long illness, including Parkinson’s disease.
  • SA Rugby president Mark Alexander hailed Mbiko as a pioneer who broke barriers in South African rugby.
  • Known for his impact as a coach, Mbiko contributed to the development of Sevens teams like the Blitzboks and nurtured young talent in Langa.
  • For more rugby news, visit our dedicated section.

Former Blitzboks head coach and ex-scrumhalf Norman Mbiko has died after a long illness on Tuesday.

He was 79.

Mbiko, who was battling Parkinson’s disease, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning with SA Rugby president Mark Alexander describing him as a pioneer, who broke barriers in South African rugby.

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Mbiko and his family endured repeated forced removals under apartheid policies before settling in Nyanga on the Cape Flats.

Despite these challenges, his love for rugby flourished and made his debut for Western Province in 1964, while playing for the Flying Eagles Rugby Club. 

Mbiko was a talented scrumhalf from Kraaifontein with his family enduring repeated forced removals under apartheid policies before settling in Nyanga on the Cape Flats.

In 1967, Mbiko earned selection for the African (black) Springboks in the height of apartheid. Over the next 16 years, he amassed 30 national appearances, captaining the team from 1969.

During his distinguished playing career, he competed against England (1972), Italy (1973), the British & Irish Lions (1974) and All Blacks (1976), toured Italy with the Leopards (1974), and led Eastern Province against Wales in Newport.

Mbiko became a household local coach in South Africa, leading various Sevens teams, including the Blitzboks. He also shaped the next generation of players in Langa and worked with the WP Coaching Academy.

“To call Norman Mbiko a trailblazer is an understatement,” said Alexander in a press statement.

“Despite growing up in turbulent times, his passion for rugby shone through. In the townships, where floodlights were absent, Norman and his friends played into the night using car headlights to illuminate the field – such was their dedication to the sport.”

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In 2000, Mbiko became South Africa’s first black senior national coach post-readmission, when he took charge of the Blitzboks midway through their inaugural World Series campaign.

Under his guidance, the Springbok Sevens achieved a runners-up finish in Paris and a fifth-place overall ranking that 1999/2000 season. 

Mbiko then won the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2003 in Fiji and also coached the U19’s, who won the 2017 Rugby World Cup in France.

His coaching career extended internationally, mentoring Uganda’s Sevens squad in 2008 and supporting South Africa’s Seven’s women’s team at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009, where they reached the semi-finals.

In 2011, he served as team manager of the Emerging SA Sevens squad, helping nurture future Springboks such as Willie le Roux and Cornal Hendricks.

Mbiko, who served on the board of trustees of the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund for 20 years, retired from sport in 2017. 

“Norman Mbiko played a massive role in shaping South African rugby, and his passing is a huge loss to our sport,” added Alexander.

“A kind, modest man, he will forever be remembered as a pioneer who dedicated his life to rugby. We are proud and grateful for his legacy, which remains woven into the fabric of South African rugby.

“SA Rugby extends its deepest condolences to Mbiko’s family, friends, and former teammates. His contributions will never be forgotten.”

Src: News24.com